Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the freedom of religion enjoyed by the Copts in Egypt.

The UK is committed to defending Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, and promoting respect between religious and non-religious communities. Promoting FoRB is one of the UK's longstanding human rights priorities. The Egyptian Government has stated its commitment to protecting the rights of Coptic Christians and freedom of worship as well as the protections for freedom of religion enshrined in the Egyptian constitution. There have been positive steps in recent years, including President Sisi's public commitments to uphold minority rights and freedom of religion. The UK continues to make clear to the Egyptian authorities the importance we attach to these issues. On 5 April, I [Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon] discussed FoRB with His Holiness Pope Tawadros II in Cairo and on 21 April, I met Archbishop Angaelos in London. I will continue to raise these important issues.